Karen M. Brazon

Karen Marie Larkins Brazon died peacefully Wednesday night at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Prior to being admitted on March 3, 2015 for a blood infection, Karen was being cared for at home by her incredible husband, Larry (Bear). She became paraplegic following a surgery in 2008 and spent most of her day in bed surrounded by pets. Larry was her caregiver and constant companion; he was also the one who made her laugh and caused her to say frequently, "Bear! What are you doing in the kitchen? I know you are eating all the good food my family brought over; I can hear you eating it!" Karen was born in Monroe, Michigan to Vernon and Dorothy (Aldrich) Larkins. She was their first born and the older sister to the three brothers that followed. Karen attended St. Michael Catholic School and was a 1965 graduate of Monroe High School. She also attended Monroe County Community College. On June 5,1976, she married Lawrence John (Bear) Brazon at First Presbyterian Church of Monroe.She met Bear while working at Ford Motor Company; it was the beginning of a forty year journey of good times and challenging times, but above all, a rich life spent with her closest confidant and true love. Marrying Bear was one of the happiest days of Karen's life; the other most joyful day was when their son, Joshua Jacob, was born in 1978. Being a mother was a role Karen valued and treasured most deeply. Karen worked for Ford Motor Company, Monroe, for six years before opening the Red Noodle Pub with her husband in 1975. They operated the Pub for 29 years and sponsored numerous sports leagues – Men's Pool, Women's Pool, Mixed League, Women's Softball, and Volleyball. They also were volunteers at St. Michael's and St. Mary Catholic Central, supported the SMCC Falcon Football Team, worked for and volunteered for the Humane Society of Monroe County, and are current members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1138. Karen also bar tended at the VFW. Karen's greatest joy was spending time with her family, eating traditional French "noodles" made famous by her "Mimi" (Dorothy Aldrich), going out to dinner with her extended family, and playing cards during every holiday celebration. She loved all animals, but mostly her fur-kids, Muttley, Zoe, and Boey. To honor her memory, Karen leaves her son and daughter-in-law, Joshua and Shondra (Chupurdy) Brazon of Gibraltar, her siblings, Larry (Sue) Larkins, David (Laura) Larkins, and Scott (Tina) Larkins, all of Monroe, MI., along with her husband's siblings, Betty (Ted) McMillan of Novi, John (Kathy) Brazon of Carleton, and Robin (Tom) DeSloover of Carleton. She is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Dorothy Larkins. Click on the multimedia tab to view Karen's video tribute.